Yesterday

 It was hard getting up yesterday morning (5.30, to leave by 6.30) but it's a 50 minute drive and so an early start is necessary. 

 I took Too Many Boxes.  Trying to get rid of Old Friends here - bits of glass and china I've had since our days at Carmarthen Fleamarket when such things sold. Hey ho. The Australian pieces came from a chap who did the Carmarthen Fleamarket a couple of times.  We passed on his stuffed crocodile, but bought these pieces of Aboriginal art instead - a pipe, a bird and a canoe.  The black pot to the right is an old Nigerian ink pot, which is a rare piece, but of course these sorts of things are a bit niche.  The ink pot was from a sale of the Rakes estate cupboards and attic, from when one of the family members died.  That was definitely pre-Covid, about 2017 or 18.  The little country print used to be on the wall in my office . . .  Hence, my stand is never minimalist and carefully choreographed like the other stands at the Fair.  I have to Pile It High to try and clear things a bit.  Plus you never know what people want.  

The big Norwegian platter, the little Arts & Crafts metal strapping next to it and the gipsy caravan nightlight beyond, all found new homes.

The water colour of Pen-y-Fan is one we bought from a local gallery - well, it must have been 15 or 20 years ago and never got around to framing.  More than time to pass it on.  The little apprentice piece settle in front of it used to live on our hall table (which is now up in my sewing room and I do my cutting out on it).  I have no place for it now, so another bit of family history being passed on.  The metal moulds are all French, apart from the copper one on the left.  

The Welsh lady sold too.  She used to belong to a good customer of ours, who sadly died a few years back now.  We bought her when her husband was trying to have a clear-out of their non-military belongings.  The little wooden container by the Gothic strapping (Keith never did get around to finding the right box to put them on) is a Victorian seed measure.  I can't even remember where that came from now, but it is one of the old friends again.  

Now a few of the other stands.  I loved this painting, but just a bit short of £720!

Those huge Alliums on Beth's stall are gorgeous.  She always has a fabulous stand.

That gorgeous dough bin, on the stage behind the painting, already had a SOLD sticker on it when I saw it.  I'm not surprised.  It's lovely.  

Well, Sunday morning now and I need to tackle Unloading In The Rain . . .  I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

New Zealand here I come

 Both excited and scared at the same time, having lost so much confidence since Keith died.  In our nearly 40 years together I rarely did things on my own, and have done so little travelling by plane that it is all new to me, especially the likes of Heathrow airport - turn me round twice and I will have had it!  But I can talk and I am sure I will manage.  I had a shock when Tam was trying to book the travel insurance for me as the first quote came up at £900! Just because I'm waiting for another ECG - this one at the hospital.  But you can't be specific.  Need to phone the Hospital tomorrow now.

A packet of wild flower mix I bunged in a pot came up with Viper's Bugloss.  The longed-for Exotic-looking flower from my Observer's book of Wild Flowers, which I got when I was 6.  I was 30 before I found it growing for the first time, in the Purbecks.

I'm too tired to write much tonight.  It's been a full-on week with Rosie, and cooking up a toddler Salmon Curry (mostly coconut milk with a tin bit of Turmeric and grated fresh ginger), fell foul of a Rosie-I-don't-want mood . . .  Rosie has had a couple of late nights (from late sleeps when we've been somewhere in the car) and so I don't get to be able to switch off.  I am feeling my age this week!!

I have the little Fair on Saturday so have to prepare for that tomorrow. Saturday will be a rest!! At least I get to sit down once I'm set up.  Back later, and I'll answer comments on yesterday's post tomorrow.

Offended

 Sorry to be M.I.A. but it's been a bit hectic here this week, with Tam and Rosie keeping me company.  Rosie is full of beans again and had one day where she didn't stop eating!  Tam says she wishes she was like that all the time.

Today we went to get cherries at Willersley and oh my goodness, they are DIVINE.  SO big and juicy.  Tam got two punnets - one for Jon, who loves them too.  Here is the back of the castle - we climbed up all the steps, after having ice cream sat on those same steps.  Yum.

Looking across to the Clock Tower from the Old Electric Shop, which Tam suggested visiting.

Inside the Old Electric Shop.  Some nice decorative items.

There were to be photos from the Craft Section of Booths, which I always take and share and give them free publicity.  NO MORE.  The minute we arrived in it, some girl was sent to go and "tidy up" on a table, to make sure we weren't nicking anything.  GOSH, it made me SO CROSS.  It was SO obvious as she was there until we left.  They have lost my custom now, that's for sure.  I didn't even have a bag, and Tam had Rosie strapped to her and no bag either.  Where were we going to stuff books, bolts of fabric or wool?  I don't like being judged as a thief when I've never , no more would anyone else.  So they can stuff their books and craft items where the sun never shines.  

On my hunkers

 Have been hit with bad insomnia after pulling a shoulder/neck muscle lifting Rosie up awkwardly.  It's slowly getting less painful but I've had two nights waking at 1 and still being awake at 5 a.m. so in daytime I am absolutely whacked.  My brain does NOT feel in residence!

Tam and I are trying to get our heads around the flight booking - which permutation etc.  Obviously business class is out!! and not going for the cheapest and longest flights, so trying to hit a middle mark is a struggle, especially when Tam isn't 100% with it either, though Rosie did sleep so much better last night.  We'll get there.

In the middle of last night, when I came down, I was trying to get my head around the topic for the Mortimer essay.  I have several ideas but need to do some more research to see which might work and whether I can prove what I set out to explore!! Plus make sure no-one has specialised in these before . . .

Hopefully tomorrow I will have slept a bit better.

Where sleeps the Dragon? Cefnllys and St Michael's church

This area is not far from Llandod - perhaps 2 1/2 miles?  Approached along a lane which became progressively narrower until it was the narrow single track with passing places we are very familiar with in Wales.  Only scary to people who can't reverse . . .

Unless we walked up there (and not doing that through thick tick-laden bracken), this was the best view we could get of Cefnllys Castle, a Medieval double castle which belonged to the Mortimers and at one point, Llewellyn ap Gruffydd.  Do check out the link - it's a good one and provides the photos I cannot.  HERE IS a link to Billy Blue Eyes'  visit here.

Rosebay Willowherb (Fireweed to some of you) growing on the hill by the car park.

A little off the beaten track.  Is it any wonder that a nowty Vicar in the late Victorian times hated having to come out here for services SO MUCH that he took the ROOF off the church.  HERE is a link to a photo of this poor abandoned church at that time.  

The church nestling amongst a ring of Yew trees.  The circular graveyard and bracelet of trees  shows how early a site it was.  The church was built in the 13th C (when the castle was established above it, which had a village attached). Probably a 10th or early 11th C site prior to that.

Up through the trees (and the sheep).

There were lovely views.

The church - which is so much better with a roof!  HERE IS A LINK to Billy Blue Eyes' Visit, many thanks to him.

As you can see - a Mortimer connection, through the castle above it and the control of this area and Maelienydd beyond it.

As I took the header picture, a male Redstart flew up and across the field to the trees a hundred yards away.  

As you can see, the village was close by the church.  I believe there was a Mill at one time too.

The Priest's Door.

The last paragraph reads, "There is a local legend that the last Welsh Dragon lies asleep deep in Radnor Forest and that long ago the people of the area built four churches in a circle round the forest.  These were dedicated to St Michael, the conqueror of the dragon (Self: Not St George then, as in England and Jordan!) to make sure he does not escape.  Many believe that if any of these churches is destroyed, the dragon will waken and ravage the countryside once more.  (Guess they had a close call in 1893 then).  The churches are Llangihangel Cefnllys in this parish, Rhydithon, Llanfihangel Nantmelan and Llanfihangel Cascob.

(Self: this was written about in one of Phil Rickman's novels.)  Tam and I have been to Cascob, but that too was locked and we couldn't get the key from the nearby cottage, as no-one was in.  We will have to try again.

 Isn't this just a divine view?  From St Michael's church, which sadly we couldn't go inside as it appeared to be locked - I twisted the door ring and did my damndest, but no, entry was denied us.  The porch was as near as we got!

Looking up at the Tower.

Meadow Cranesbill.

Peacock Butterfly amongst the wild flowers at the back of the church.

Inside the porch.  Poor man died in his prime.

It was very peaceful in the churchyard, apart from the sheep blethering and the sound of crows.  A beautiful spot and worth visiting.

Went the day well?

 

Just added one of me with Rosie that Tam took.  Rosie's t-shirt was a nod to one that grandad Keith had from Florida I think it was (got there when in Belize I think.  A holiday on the way home perhaps.  I can't remember now).

My wonderful family.  

First of all, thank you all for your kind comments yesterday.  I won't reply individually, but your kindness is much appreciated.  I would have found it so hard to cope without the support of friends and family.

Gabby arrived on Thursday night, so I wouldn't be on my own.  As Tam had been so off-colour and she and Rosie still tired, we went to her as per our change of plan and we all met up by the Pier, and had fish goujons and chips and curry dipping sauce.  Rosie joined in!  We sat under one of the umbrellas and were safe from the Seagulls, who seemed to be mostly sat out on the rocks in the shallow part of the bay. Ironically - we wondered if Keith had a celestial hand in this! - playing "American Pie" with the line, "this'll be the day that I die" . . .  We smiled, rather than cried, at the irony. 

The remains of Aberystwyth castle left, and the War Memorial.  It has a rather controversial bare-breasted (well, bare all over if I am honest!) woman emerging out of foliage, which is meant to represent Humanity emerging from Chaos.  I imagine the Italian artist who carved it had a great time, and the men it represented would have appreciated his artistic endeavours :)

We all came separately so met up in Borth (after I'd galloped through M&S and got a new bra in a colour not dissimilar to the new paint on the woodwork here).  Keith would have appreciated the colourway I'm sure :)

Rosie making a move for Tam's sunglasses.

Dan's special t-shirt in honour of our family name.

We all had a paddle.  Quite a few people swimming and good to see the Lifeguard presence there.  We decided against going up to the dunes and beach at Ynyslas as it's a longer walk to the beach, and Tam had mentioned Adders being seen up there - I think a dog was bitten recently.

Gabby in her cheerful orange top.  I wore my coral one and - for a change - a skirt!

Tamzin had had a lovely idea, and bought along a sprig of oak leaves each (Keith loved oak trees) and we threw them in the waves, thinking of him, though we were a little early for them to be carried out to sea despite the tide going out.  Danny was charged with wading out as far as he could as he had the shortest shorts on.  We heard this week that the tree Gabby had purchased through the Multiple Systems Atrophy Trust, had been planted.  I hope it's an oak tree. . .

Danny had to get back to Carmarthen to pick Emma up, so didn't come back here for our special meal.  We each had steak in a tasty cream/Worcestershire Sauce/pepper, beans from the garden (SO good) and Potato Dauphinoise.  Scrummy. 

 

These beautiful flowers (the Gladioli was one that broke off in the garden here though) were from friends of Gabby's, who also gave us a lovely bottle of Vintage champagne (M&S) which we drank after our meal, whilst watching Only Fools and Horses, which Keith loved and watched again and again, and we laughed rather than cried.  I hope we remembered him as he would have wanted - a happy day, a few tears but he felt close to us all day.  

Now it's just Tam, Rosie and I here as Gabby's gone back to work.  We are planning to visit the little church just outside of Llandod.  So photos later.